What is VMware?

Here are step-by-step instructions to install NetWare 6 as a guest OS under VMware Workstation 3.0:

1. What you need:
   • A host PC running WinNT4, Win2K or WinXP
   • 384mb RAM or more
   • VMware Workstation 3.0.0, build 1455 (release code) An eval version can be downloaded from www.vmware.com/download/workstation.html. You'll also need to register for an eval license.
   • A floppy with NW5-IDLE.NLM handy. You can download this from www.vmware.com/software/Nw5-idle.nlm.
2. Create a new Virtual Machine:
   • In the New VM Wizard, choose Custom.
   • Choose 'Other' as the Guest operating system.
   • Enter a name for the VM (i.e., 'NW6' and a folder in which to place the virtual disk file.
   • Specify at least 192mb of memory for VM.
   • Choose a network connection type (I used NAT, others may work as well).
   • Create a virtual disk of an appropriate size (usually the default 4GB).
   • OPTIONAL: Use the Configuration Editor and remove the USB Controller.
   • OPTIONAL: Specify an ISO image of NW6 for the CDROM drive, if you have it.
   • This will speed installation of the OS.
   • Exit VMware.
3. Edit the VMware configuration file:
   • Load the config file (i.e., c:\VMs\NW6\NW6.vmx) into an editor.
   • Find the guestOS="other" line and change the value to "netware6". This will allow the PAE mode of NetWare 6 to be accepted by VMWare.
   • Add a new line beneath the guestOS line as follows: svga.8bitonly="true"
   • This will ensure that VMware doesn't complain about running in an 8-bit video mode.
   • Save the file.
4. Change the display mode of the HOST OS:
   • You need to change your host OS color depth to 256 colors (8-bit) during the installation of NetWare. Once it's installed, however, you can go back to using a gazillion colors.
5. Install NetWare 6
   • Start VMware and the new Virtual Machine.
   • Start the NetWare 6 installation as usual, either from a NW6 CD or from an ISO image if you have one.
   • As soon as possible after the installation begins, insert a floppy with the NW5-IDLE.NLM, ALT-ESC switch to the console, and type the following: LOAD A:\NW5-IDLE.NLM
   • When NetWare tries to load the LAN driver (use PCNTNW.LAN), it will fail because it broadcasts for its own IP address (doing an ARP?) and then hears its own packets. This causes IP networking to fail.

     Get around this by ALT-ESC switching to the System Console and then enter the following:

     SET ALLOW IP ADDRESS DUPLICATES=ON

     Alternatively, you can LOAD MONITOR !h, go into Server Parameters, Communications, and find the above parameter and set it to ON.

     Now, ALT-ESC switch back to the GUI installation screen and retry loading the LAN drivers.

6. Install the NetWare CPU Idle NLM:
   • Copy NW5-IDLE.NLM to SYS:SYSTEM and to C:\NWSERVER in your Guest OS.
   • Load it from AUTOEXEC.NCF as early as possible.
7. Once installed, you can switch your HOST OS color depth back to what it was.